Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Mickey Sampson

Mickey Sampson

I don't know where to begin... but, Mickey Sampson died last night. Please pray for Mickey's wife Wendi and their four kids, the two girls: Michael (16) and Madeline (14), the two boys: Isaiah and Zach (12).

About 1-2 months ago Mickey complained of chest pains and numbness in his hands. He had is heart checked out and went through a few scans. Everything seemed to check out and it was diagnosed as bacterial, he started to recover as a result of this treatment. After ending treatment, though, about a week ago the problems returned. His wife told him to go to the doctor, after an examination the doctor wasn't too worried but noticed some things they wanted checked out. He was referred to a hospital in Thailand, because hospitals in Cambodia aren't any good. This morning a man was supposed to meet Mickey at the guest house he was staying at and the man found Mickey's body. They think there might have been a possible ceisure, but they're not sure. Doctors are examining the body.

You would have had to know Mickey or have been to RDI to know the scope of what he did for Cambodia and for many other places in the world. I want to tell you about Mickey. The Sampsons have lived in Cambodia for 11 years. Resource Development International (RDI) was started by Mickey, who has a Ph.D. in Chemistry. Because of his knowledge and skill, RDI has been able to give clean drinking water to thousands of Cambodian families. But not only Cambodia, the scope of his influence is felt all over South East Asia (Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, etc...) Just over a week ago he was one of the key note speakers at a conference in Atlanta for the Center of Disease control on his work in Cambodia. And just last week he was working on the finishing touches for a portable, ceramic water filter factory with the intentions of sending it to Sudan to help the refugees of Darfur. These are just a few of the many accomplishments of Mickey. With only 11 years on the field, he was able to accomplish hundreds of milestones for the developing world on clean drinking water.

Mourning has begun on the RDI compound.Things won't be the same, but many things will go on. One of the things that Mickey did well was training the people. Because of his efforts, a lot of what RDI does can continue working as normal. The filter factory, the rope pumps, the rain water harvesting tanks, the water testing, etc... will continue to work because it was run by Cambodians. Marc and John are the other two permanent Americans invested in this facility. They will be able to carry on Mickey's work. The one area that is questionable is the lab. That was Mickey's baby and pet project. Monday was supposed to be the beginning of a conference on water led by Mickey. Several people were flying in from universities for the conference, like: Stanford, Dartmuth, University of Manchester (England), Univesity of Guelth (Candada), etc... The list goes on and on.

I don't know how this will affect my stay in Cambodia. I'll keep you informed as I learn more. Much of what RDI does was pioneered by and centered around Mickey's work.

7 comments:

  1. Corey, Mickey and his family will be in my prayers, along with you and your team. God Bless Corey!

    -Tim!

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  2. Cory, my name is Chris and I grew up in the church that Mickey was a part of back here in the states. Please know that we are praying for them and all of you.
    If you tell John B. that you talked to Chris from Shively tell him that I miss doing the secret handshake. He'll know who I am.

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  3. Thanks so much for the info- for those of us who do know Mickey and Wendy- we are deeply saddened. Tonight as the news is spread we are left wondering what in the world- your blog helped me understand a little more. We are praying for the Sampson family. I remember when God called Mickey and Wendy to Cambodia. WOW how mightly our God has used him! Praying for you all too- please let us know how to specifically pray in the days ahead both for their family and all the work still to be done.

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  4. Thanks for posting this Cory. I worked with Mickey a couple years back and just heard the news. We'll be praying for them as well.

    ~barak

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  5. Mickey affected me in a very positive way a few years ago as well. My prayers will be with Wendi and his kids and the work he has done in Cambodia and all over the world.

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  6. Cory,
    My name is Charles Hanks and I don't know where to begin either. This is a great personal loss to me as Mickey was a great friend. Only those of us that personally knew Mickey and his ministry understand what a great loss this is to the Lord's work here on earth. I became good friends with Mickey from the time that I first met him in Cambodia. I have visited him and participated in his ministry in Cambodia on several occasions. He has been a guest in my home here in the states. Through the years that I have known him I have connected as many individuals and churches to his ministry as I can.

    I just heard the news earlier today. I couldn't sleep and was searching the internet for any information that I could find. guess I was hoping I would find out that it wasn't true. That is how I found your blog. It breaks my heart to think about Wendi and the kids because I know them personally. I know they are strong and I know that God will comfort and provide. I assure you that I will be in prayer for the family, friends and the ministry in Cambodia. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do. Mickey would do the same for me.

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  7. I'm so sorry to hear of this loss. Mickey was involved with our church here in Louisville (Carlisle Ave. Baptist) and his family is on our hearts and in our prayers. I did not know the Sampson's, but I've heard great things from my church family. We know God is sovereign in all He does and although we are unaware of the Lord's will for the Sampson's at this moment, God is in complete control. Thanks for your post Cory and we will all be praying for Mickey's family. Thank you for your work too Cory. Praying for you too!

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